The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is the heart and home of New York's gay community. It provides many key services, including sexual health screenings, community programs and wellness events.

Over 400 community groups meet here. The Center operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, providing a welcoming space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect, find support, and celebrate their identities.

History of New York's LGBTQ+ Center

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center—commonly known as The Center—was founded in 1983 in response to the growing need for a dedicated space for New York City’s LGBTQ+ community. Located in a former school building at 208 West 13th Street in the West Village, it emerged as one of the most important community spaces in the city. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, The Center played a crucial role in organizing efforts during the HIV/AIDS crisis, providing a meeting space for groups like ACT UP and GMHC. Today, it remains one of the most influential LGBTQ+ institutions in the U.S., providing key services and also preserving history at the LGBT Community Center National History Archive.

You don't need to be a resident to visit. If you're visiting New York you can still pop in and see it for yourself. You may even be inclined to explore the archive.